The Valar and Illuvator's Children

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

So the people don't acknowledge the existance of Iluvatar, or at least don't revere him as their creator? If the term of "worship" would be applied to the people who honor Morgoth, then what word would best describe those who honor the Iluvatar and the Valar?

First, the vast majority of folk in Middle-earth do not even recognize Iluvatar as a deity. This is true of the Hobbits and the majority of men outside those who retain some Numenorean heritage (the dwarves revere Mahal, but there is no evidence of any formal form of 'worship', and certainly no mention of Eru). Even in Gondor, it seems those with the most knowledge of all things Numenorean, the Stewards for instance, don't seem to 'worship' Iluvatar on a regular basis. A good example was brought up by doug*platypus (such a strange pen-name for such an erudite poster), when he referred to Faramir (of whom the blood of Numenor held most true, and was scholarly in any case) and the Rangers of Ithilien turning and facing west in a moment of silence before eating:

'So we always do,' he said, as they sat down: 'we look towards Númenor that was, and beyond to Elvenhome that is, and to that which is beyond Elvenhome and will ever be.'

Let's study this quote, shall we? It seems to me that Faramir is 'revering' that which was, not so much as 'worshipping' that which is. It is a rememberance, not a solemn rite of worship in a Catholic sense (or in a Muslim or Jewish sense, for that matter). People are not prostrating themselves, kneeling, chanting words of praise (save in the Elvish words to Elbereth) or praying for whatever it is that they want but don't have (be it rain for crops, or a nice, new shiny sword to bash infidels with).

Again, Tolkien rather masterfully imbedded a Catholic sense of virtue and morality in his story without the overt and unctuous need for formal religion, which would have degraded the plot from a mythological standpoint (tending it more towards direct allegory), and would have alienated many a reader who would prefer not being proselytized to (missionary zeal does not usually play well in works of literature). In fact, the greatest emphasis on formal religion is completely in the negative: the Cult of Morgoth in Numenor. Here we have a centralized temple, sacrifice and frightened masses crowded in like cattle to worship (or else face divine, and, as is ever the case with formal religion, earthly retribution).

So, as is ever my circuitous method in reply to a seemingly simple question (but which is far more complex), I would say Numenoreans 'revere' Eru (revere being defined as 'to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor', rather than 'worship' him (and worship being defined as 'a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual, and extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem'). I may be splitting hairs here, but it is different to be reverential or respectful of something, than it is to be worshipful or adoring of something.